Is current harmful when it doesn't flow out of you?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the effects of electrical current and charge on living organisms and electronic components. It establishes that current is harmful primarily when it flows through a body, as damage occurs due to the movement of electrons caused by a potential difference. The conversation also highlights that electrical components can accumulate charge without immediate damage, provided there is no low-resistance pathway for discharge. However, a rapid discharge of high voltage can cause significant damage to both biological tissues and electronic components.

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  • Understanding of electrical concepts such as voltage, current, and charge.
  • Familiarity with static electricity and its effects on electronic components.
  • Knowledge of potential difference and its role in electrical flow.
  • Basic principles of capacitance and its implications in electrical systems.
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  • Research the effects of static electricity on sensitive electronic components like RAM.
  • Learn about the principles of electrostatics and charge accumulation.
  • Investigate the safety measures for handling high-voltage electrical systems.
  • Explore the concept of capacitance in biological systems and its relevance to electrical safety.
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Electrical engineers, computer hardware technicians, safety professionals, and anyone interested in the interaction between electricity and biological or electronic systems.

  • #31
For the initial approach, that formula is correct, but I don't see where your GJ value comes from - the current won't flow for milliseconds.
 
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  • #32
mfb said:
For the initial approach, that formula is correct, but I don't see where your GJ value comes from - the current won't flow for milliseconds.

Yeah I don't really know how long the current flows for so I just plugged in a few small numbers. Do you know approximately how long that current flows usually?

Nvm I figured out how to work out the time.
 
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  • #33
mfb said:
For the initial approach, that formula is correct, but I don't see where your GJ value comes from - the current won't flow for milliseconds.

If I am not grounded (eg stand on a plastic stool) and touch a Van de Graaff generator, is it reasonable to model myself in this case as a capacitor? (using equations like I=(V/R)exp(-t/CR))

If I touch the Van de Graaf generator with a metal rod (still standing on the plastic stool), can I still model myself as a capacitor by simply taking the new resistance as my own resistance+the metal rod's resistance?

Thanks.
 
  • #34
That should give a good approximation. But don't test it in practice...
 

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